opening tail lights?

[JollyJON]

as the title says, does anyone know how to get the tail lights open?

[cobrabyte]

Most tail light assemblies are ultrasonically welded. Short of cutting them, there's not really anything you can do to get them apart.

[EvoXDD]

Originally Posted by cobrabyte

Most tail light assemblies are ultrasonically welded. Short of cutting them, there's not really anything you can do to get them apart.

correct. headlights are bake able though!

[JollyJON]

damn thats not what i wanted to hear at all... but the chrome must go so any tips on cutting em open? will i need a dremel or would a thin blade and heat gun do the trick.

edit: thin blade thing was a brain fart. i really wanted to ask how would i seal them up after cutting em open to prevent moisture and what not.

[JollyJON]

btw if anyone is interested in trying this, here's a link that i'm using for reference. this is gonna be a pita going in blind but ill try to make a DIY if i get it to work!

http://www.gencoupe.com/diy-do-yours...s-modding.html

i dont even know if i can post this link so if this is a violation in any way, mods please let me know so i can remove it.

[LivingLegend]

Have you considered just getting red tint or spray paint it red instead of opening it?

http://www.ft86club.com/forums/showthread.php?t=7826

[cobrabyte]

Originally Posted by LivingLegend

Have you considered just getting red tint or spray paint it red instead of opening it?

http://www.ft86club.com/forums/showthread.php?t=7826

I had planned on going this route this weekend but it looks like there's no end in sight to the rain that we've been getting.

Maybe next weekend.

[JollyJON]

Originally Posted by LivingLegend

Have you considered just getting red tint or spray paint it red instead of opening it?

http://www.ft86club.com/forums/showthread.php?t=7826

yeah i did but im not a big fan of the redding/smoking it. the only thing I want to paint black is the chrome

Originally Posted by cobrabyte

I had planned on going this route this weekend but it looks like there's no end in sight to the rain that we've been getting.

Maybe next weekend.

same here bro, i'm just doing some background research and debating if i wanna get/make the clear reflector from the jdm tail lights until the rain stops

[Draco-REX]

It can be done. But it's difficult and has a high pucker factor.

Here's the thread on modding my STI lights.
http://www.iwsti.com/forums/gd-exter...martha+stewart

[Loki2x]

Originally Posted by LivingLegend

Have you considered just getting red tint or spray paint it red instead of opening it?

http://www.ft86club.com/forums/showthread.php?t=7826

Even if you do use red tint spray, it is better if you can spray them from the inside so they do not weather.

[Lonewolf]

Originally Posted by JollyJON

damn thats not what i wanted to hear at all... but the chrome must go so any tips on cutting em open? will i need a dremel or would a thin blade and heat gun do the trick.

edit: thin blade thing was a brain fart. i really wanted to ask how would i seal them up after cutting em open to prevent moisture and what not.

You and 10,000 other people have already said how much they hate the stock tails (myself included)...did Toyota not bring in any focus groups at all?

Crimony, in 20 years, finding the ugly stock tails will probably be rarer than a mint Enzo with everyone on here modifying the stock tails, lol.

[ragingSPAM]

If you're going to dremel the taillights open at any point, at least do one thing and just put some cling film ceran wrap on the lens so you minimize risk of scratching the lens on the outside.

[JollyJON]

so i was doing some research and i found two ways of cutting open the tail lights but im not sure which one would be best. should i use a hot knife or a dremel cutting disc? It looks much easier to do with a hot knife but i'm worried about all the melted plastic. i read that once the plastic cools, you could just sand it off for a flat surface. plus you could just make your own hot knife for about 2 bucks by hammering an old soldering tip.

Here's a video of someone using a hot knife:

How to cut? (how to cut open head lights or tail lights) by exLEDMall.com - YouTube

it just looks like it would be much easier to control imho

[karma003]

Did u ever end up doing it

[ImAwesome]

I'd go the hot knife route...

[cobrabyte]

Originally Posted by ImAwesome

I'd go the hot knife route...

Seconded. It looks a lot more controlled than what's going to be possible with a rotary tool. Probably cheaper, too. Banged-out chisel tip & a soldering iron. That's $15 at a Radio Shack.

[bullitt@uamotorsports]

Youguys do realize that the oem tails are silicone sealed...

[StevenEngage]

Originally Posted by bullitt@uamotorsports

Youguys do realize that the oem tails are silicone sealed...

This true???

[Unleashed]

I hope this is true! If I wasnt at work I would go pull mine out and check right now.

[karma003]

If they r silicone, I heard somewhere on here that its. Danger to put them in the oven like the headlights cuz the plastic is more sensitive & the LEDs don't hold up to the heat well..... If someone tries it anyways plz let me know. I want to fix that nasty chrome

[boredom.is.me]

They are not silicone attached. They are fused and require a cutting tool of some sorts to open...

[bullitt@uamotorsports]

We are trying to get a hold of a BRZ for a shop car... to bad GA got one of the lowest allocations in the country! Everyone I have tried to get has been spoken for lol...

On the tail lights we are looking for someone in GA who wouldnt mind bringing their car by or who wants mods done to their headlights and tail lights. Whoever, we can get would get it at cost... We have done lots of 370z's, G37s and STI's.

Here is a link to our thread:
http://www.ft86club.com/forums/showthread.php?t=12167